Education - Elementary and Secondary

Alternate Route to Interim Teacher Certification

Schoolcraft College has been approved by the state of Michigan to offer an Alternative Route to Interim Teacher Certification (ARC) Program. This program is designed for college graduates, who meet specific admission requirements, to be able to become certified classroom teachers using a rigorous, accelerated preparation program. The Alternate Route Program (ARC) also enables currently certified teachers to add new endorsements to their certificates while completing the same ARC program requirements. The Michigan Interim Teaching certificate will enable program completers to work as certified classroom teachers in Michigan’s public, charter, and parochial classrooms in a wide variety of disciplines. An individual can become certified to teach in as little as one semester. Unlike the traditional teacher preparation program, the alternate route candidate’s certification or endorsement(s) is not contingent on their academic major or minor. Currently certified teachers can also use the ARC program to add additional endorsements to their teaching certificates. Candidates seeking only additional endorsements will complete the current ARC coursework and requirements. As in the case of initial certification, a major or minor is not required. Following the successful completion of the program, teachers will be recommended by Schoolcraft for the Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate, or the permanent endorsement on their current certificate.

The coursework in the Alternative Route (ARC) Program is based on both the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium-Model Core Teaching Standards (InTASC) and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. The coursework and field experiences are designed to prepare the candidate to make a successful and seamless transition into the classroom as an effective teacher.

Certification is available in the following areas:

Elementary education (Grades K-5 or 6-8 self-contained)
Secondary education (grades 6-12)
K-12 (Music, Art, Physical Education, ESL, etc.)

Candidates, as well as currently certified teachers, can be recommended for a wide variety of endorsements, except Special Education and Early Childhood Education.

New co-horts of the ARC program begin each year in the fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters. ARC teacher candidates will complete the four pre-certification courses in either one or two consecutive semesters. The four pre-certification courses are offered in the evenings on the Livonia campus. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements in the pre-certification courses will be recommended for the Michigan Interim Teaching certificate and can be employed as a certified teacher in any Michigan school. ARC teachers are able to select the district/school in which they will be employed. The ARC program will sponsor and mentor the new ARC teacher for the initial three years of classroom teaching with the certificate. Each new ARC teacher is provided ongoing support of a college supervisor, a building based peer mentor, and professional development coursework during the initial three years of teaching. In addition to the required pre-certification practicum, the program offers additional field based internships to provide further support and practice to candidates and teachers. Contact the program coordinator about these opportunities.

Having completed the three years of successful teaching and meeting all program requirements, candidates will be eligible to be recommended for the Michigan Standard Certificate or to add the endorsement(s) permanently to their certificate. Students enrolled in the Alternative Route for Interim Teacher Certification Program will be required to maintain an overall 3.0 GPA, with no individual course grade lower than 3.0 and complete all program requirements within five years.

The ARC program also recognizes the value of prior teaching experience. Applicants who are not currently working in a K-12 classroom are encouraged to spend time in classrooms as a substitute teacher or a volunteer, in order to become better acquainted with their content area and the classroom environments.

The requirements for admission to an Alternate Route Program are:

Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 point scale)
Pass the applicable MTTC Subject Area Test(s)
Pass the criminal background check (Fingerprinting may also be required by some school districts for fieldwork)
Demonstrate the social, emotional, and professional behaviors consistent with those of professional educators

Note: With the Michigan Interim Teaching Certificate, candidates will be able to assume full-time classroom teaching positions while being sponsored by Schoolcraft’s ARC program. While serving as the classroom teacher of record, the candidates will work with assigned peer mentors, attend workshops and professional development conferences and complete prescribed coursework throughout the initial three years of teaching with the certificate or endorsement. The Michigan Interim Teaching Certificate is recognized only while working with under the supervision of the ARC program.

This program requires an application and special admission process. Contact the Associate Dean, Education and Occupational Programs to complete an application or for additional information at 734-462-4335.

For more information on Michigan Alternative Route to Interim Teacher Certification (MARITC), call 517-335-6615.

For more information on certification, please contact: Michigan Department of Education, 608 W. Allegan Street, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, 517-373-3324

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